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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does a woman's level of attachment to a man depend upon, according to Sei Shonagon?
(a) The quality of gifts the man gives the woman.
(b) The way the man takes his leave of the woman.
(c) The elegance with which a man talks to the woman.
(d) The way a man smells.

2. What is wrong with the child in "Of A Monstrous Child?"
(a) The child had both male and female sexual organs.
(b) The child was born with three eyes.
(c) The child was born badly deformed.
(d) The child is a criminal and menace to the town.

3. What kind of social company does Sei Shonagon express hatred for in "Hateful Things?"
(a) Company that asks prying questions.
(b) Company that does not talk.
(c) Company that will not leave.
(d) Company that eats all of one's food.

4. According to Montaigne, what is the source of the difference between men and women?
(a) Genetics.
(b) Emotion.
(c) Divine intervention.
(d) Custom and education.

5. Which is NOT one of the essays written by Ou-Yank Hsiu?
(a) "Old Drunkard's Pavilion"
(b) "Essays in Idleness"
(c) "My Three Zithers"
(d) "Farewell to Yang Shih"

6. To what character may many of Montaigne's writings may be considered similar to?
(a) Stoic.
(b) Anti-Semitic.
(c) Platonic.
(d) Optimistic.

7. How was Montaigne's first book received?
(a) It was scorned, and vilified in the newspapers.
(b) It was self-published, and only three people got to see it at the time.
(c) It was largely ignored by the public.
(d) It enjoyed a great deal of success.

8. What is the implicit message of "An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification?"
(a) Humans live in a constant state of denial.
(b) A woman should be allowed to express her opinion.
(c) Even the greatest vices can be rationalized by the diseased mind.
(d) Women, like children, should be seen and not heard.

9. To Plutarch, what is the greatest human bond?
(a) The relationship between brother and sister.
(b) Marriage.
(c) Friendship.
(d) The relationship between emperor and citizen.

10. What does "Pleasure Boat Studio" refer to?
(a) A studio in which Ou-Yank Hsiu loves to paint seascapes.
(b) A ship that houses several prostitutes.
(c) A private place in the park by the pond.
(d) The nickname for a room in a governmental office.

11. In "Slaves," what accounts for the bad behavior of slaves?
(a) The bad treatment they receive.
(b) Their diet.
(c) Their innate barbarity.
(d) Their confined quarters.

12. When was Maria Edgeworth born?
(a) 1768 A.D.
(b) 1897 A.D.
(c) 895 A.D.
(d) 1512 A.D.

13. At which university did Abraham Cowley study?
(a) Harvard.
(b) Oxford.
(c) The University of Paris.
(d) Cambridge.

14. What is ironic about the Montaigne essay title, "Of a Monstrous Child?"?
(a) The "monster" is a man who only behaves like a child.
(b) Montaigne is in fact arguing that nothing is "monstrous" by nature.
(c) The child talked about is in fact saintly and kind.
(d) Montaigne is obliquely refer to gluttony, stating that it is born "of a monstrous child."

15. Who wrote "A Chapter on Ears?"
(a) Abraham Cowley.
(b) Plutarch.
(c) Charles Lamb.
(d) Maria Edgeworth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the subject of Chapter 2 in the book?

2. When was Seneca the Younger born?

3. Which trait BEST describes what others thought of Michel de Montaigne in his youth?

4. Plutarch was a priest of which temple?

5. What is Montaigne's general view of humanity?

(see the answer keys)

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